UTI returned after antibiotics

[MagpiePi]

I had a UTI a couple of weeks ago and ended up getting antibiotics from the chemist even though a GP and lab urine tests showed there was no infection. I had the 3 day course which cleared things up but now it is back again.
I've read on here somewhere that the tests don't pick up certain bacteria or low level infections (or something like that!) and that the 3 day antibiotics don't necessarily clear all of the infection and a 5 or 7 day course is better.
Can I go back to the chemists and ask for the longer course? If I do, what do I ask for?

I don't think the pharmacy can give the longer course. They're strict on the prescribing guidelines for pharmacist which are not as wide as for GPs.
How old are you? My recurrent UTI in my late 50s which responded to antibiotics was actually oestrogen deficiency and cleared up with topical oestrogen.

I'm the same age. Already on HRT and use oestrogen pessaries.
I'll ask at the chemist but can see I'm going to have to go through the rigmarole of trying to get a GP appointment. 😠

The amount of times I’ve put in samples that have come back as no infection . Even pink samples from the blood , negative. I 100% had a UTI each time.

You could always go back and see what they suggest. UTI’s are such a pain, sometimes if I can’t be bothered to get antibiotics I just try my best to clear it myself and then if it doesn’t clear within a few days I’ll go for antibiotics. Drinking as much water as possible, cranberry juice (I don’t know if this does actually help) and apparently taking probiotics daily helps too. I am lazy with going to drs for antibiotics and will order through online through Superdrug to get next day delivery

It could be thrush or BV. Maybe ask the GP to do a swab for that and for a UTI as well. Topical vaginal oestrogen cream can help, is the dosage of your pessaries working sufficiently. Also look into getting a longer course.

If you can't get into your GP very soon, go to your local sexual health clinic. They often have the same-day appointments and also normally a sexual health consultant so can be really great.

I went to a walk in centre today and a urine sample showed a definite infection. The previous infection was actually a month ago and so the doctor thought that this was a new infection rather than a recurrence.

I'm glad you got seen, was it an urgent care or sexual health clinic? So did they prescribe anything? Or if not what did they do? Hopefully a longer treatment works.

I’ve given up on antibiotics.

are you drinking alot alongside the AB’s? I find if I drink enormous amounts of water/tea/coffee and/or electrolytes I can self treat without AB’s. There is evidence that many uti’s can be treated this way without AB’s, but you have to be very very diligent with your fluids.

go back, get the correct AB’s, and drink. Drink some more. Next time you feel the slightest twinge start drinking while you sort out AB’s- I was working one time which is how I discovered the uti would resolve without medication.

3 says never works for me. I need 7 to 10 days of nitrofaurtin (not sure of spending the one that makes your pee bright yellow).

I had a UTI a few weeks ago. I’ve never had a UTI before. GP gave me a 3 day course of nitrofurantoin before I’d put a sample in. Seemed to clear up but came back a few days after I stopped taking them. Sample put in at this point and came back as sig growth of E.coli. GP said sorry and should’ve given me a 7 day course of, antibiotics, which they did. Cleared up with 7 days of treatment.

I had this once. Had a three day course and it came back, had a seven day course and it came back. The GP was trying to convince me I had an STD but I know what a UTI is.

Anyway, as it happens I split with my fling that week and it went away but I was so annoyed with the doctor.

Since then, I have been straight to the pharmacy and I like how they test for the exact strain of infection and proscribe accordingly.

I went to a normal nhs walk in centre and got a 3 day course of antibiotics. I’d have to see my gp for a longer course.
I don’t think that this is the initial infection that has flared up again as that one was a month ago. I’ve just got a shit memory and it felt like it was much more recent! 🙄

I have had UTIs in the past where 3 days wasn’t enough but I probably didn’t take them properly if I’m honest , now when I take them I make sure I take them with food and a glass of milk and touch wood it’s sorted it the last few times .